Easy hikes and walks in Mount Charlie Flora Reserve

Sanatorium Lake is a small, tranquil lake in Macedon Regional Park, originally created to supply water to the nearby Mount Macedon Sanatorium. Surrounded by tall eucalypts and cool forest, the lake is known for its peaceful atmosphere, with the trees reflecting on the calm water. The nearby short walking trails and picnic areas make it a lovely stop during a quiet walk in the Mount Macedon area.

Sanatorium Lake Eco-Trail is an easy walking loop in the Macedon Regional Park that winds through native eucalypt forest around the peaceful Sanatorium Lake. There are interpretive signs along the way explaining the area’s ecology and history, and the surrounding bushland provides habitat for native birds and wildlife, so you’ll likely see plenty of kangaroos, wallabies, and wombats while you’re here. The gentle grade and well-formed path make it a popular short walk for families and visitors exploring the park.

Summit Walk is a relatively short but steep return in Victoria’s Hanging Rock Reserve, climbing through towering volcanic formations, narrow rock passages, and native woodland to the summit of Hanging Rock (Ngannelong). It’s a well-formed path that's a mix of sealed and gravel surfaces with stairs and moderate inclines, leading to lookouts with fantastic sweeping views across the Macedon Ranges and surrounding plains. Along the way, you'll pass under the famous “Hanging Rock” formation and through striking columns and pinnacles formed by volcanic activity over six million years ago.

Hanging Rock (Ngannelong) is a unique volcanic rock formation in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges, formed about six million years ago when thick magma cooled into dramatic columns and weathered pinnacles. Rising 105 metres above the surrounding plains, the rock is known for its narrow passages, towering boulders, caves, and unusual formations that create a rugged, almost otherworldly landscape. It is also a place of deep cultural significance for the Woi Wurrung, Djaara, and Taungurung peoples, and became internationally known through the 1975 mystery film 'Picnic at Hanging Rock'.

Morgan's Lookout is a natural rocky vantage point near the summit of Hanging Rock, named after the notorious Gold Rush-era bushranger 'Mad Dan' Morgan. Morgan is thought to have used the lookout as a vantage point to spot approaching authorities, with the cuttings in the rocks providing excellent shelter. From here, there are beautiful, sweeping views that stretch out across the flat plains and the farmland of the Macedon Ranges far below.

Camels Hump lookout sits at the highest point in the Macedon Ranges at 1,011 metres, offering some of the best views in the region. A short but steep path leads through eucalypt forest and granite outcrops before reaching a set of stone steps that climb to the summit. At the top, a viewing platform provides wide views across the surrounding countryside, including glimpses toward Hanging Rock on clear days. Snow gums and rocky formations around the summit give the area a distinctive alpine feel, making it one of the most rewarding viewpoints in Macedon Regional Park.